you guys, this writer thinks that talking shit about Tears for Fears and Wham! and Stacey Q will show me that he is a discerning audiophile. you guys, he makes sure we know that he knows that kim deal is the Hottest Female Alternative Rocker or something. you guys, help me.

why do david lee roth-loyal boys get so much airtime? this uppity bro thinks he can make me laugh? (like making jokes about ibiza and mardi gras and hookers that bill maher would reject as being stale will somehow hide rather than reveal the writer's essential mundane dorkdom?) thinks he can tell me about moz&marr? (unintentional comedy doesnt count.) thinks he has evidence that riot grrl was embarrassing because it was led by "unappealing harpies"? (i cant get into the shit with saying michiganders believe new yorkers to be "lox eating money grabbers" because i cant unpack that many layers of ignorance right now if i am to enjoy any part of my day off.)

this book was written by a homely pile of crap van halen dude who thinks we are all as gross as he is inside. as a person who has brothers and a father, i am offended. ( )

Obnoxious, adolescent, and smug. Even when I agreed with him or was interested in the bands he was talking about, the tone was just so irritating. The worst offense, though, would have to be how any reference to a female musician was directly or indirectly about the way she looked. Every one. Grow up. ( )

This book was alright for me. It had some great and relatable quotes about being an obsessive music fan and some funny moments too but there were a lot of parts where I wanted to just skip ahead because he seemed to be going on and on. I was also a bit disappointed that the synopsis included a reference to him taking a Smiths pilgrimage type trip to Manchester when really he didn't end up doing much at all to do with The Smiths while in Manchester. That was the part of the synopsis that sold me as a Smiths fan so that was a bit disappointing but overall I did relate to and enjoy his enthusiasm and experiences as a music fan. ( )

Very good overview of indie rock from the 80s and 90s--might just be saying that because I agree with a lot of what he has to say. Unfortunately, the second half of the book is devoted to covering one band: Guided by Voices. Still well-written, but drags if you're not as into the band as the author. ( )